As we have seen already, an important element of the festivities was the chasing away of the bad spirits of winter. These spirits were believed to be noisy, to overturn all furniture, shatter roofs and bother the people. These crazy creatures had to be chased away with the uproar of whips, bells and musical instruments, which at the same time could also drive off other dangerous and wicked creatures.

Elf or Alf in Germanic languages also means 'eleven'. After the spreading of Christianity the festivities of St. Martin, which fall on the 11th of November, (the 11th day of the 11th month of the year!) came to be considered the beginning of wintertime and of the preparation of carnival.

There exists also the custom of the installation of a board of 11 members on this day, which assists the Prince who presides over the preparation of the festivities of carnival.